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COURSE SYLLABUS

  • SCOPE OF COURSE SYLLABUS

    Intended for students enrolling in Strategic Thinking and Decision Analysis, this syllabus contains information specific to the course. It is a definitive record of the course's primary characteristics and the learning outcomes that a typical student can reasonably be expected to achieve if he/she takes full advantage of the available learning opportunities. This document also serves as a reference for academic and support staff, internal and external examiners, and for future course monitoring and review.


    COURSE AT A GLANCE

    Course Title

    Strategic Thinking and Decision Analysis


    Subject Area:

    Management


    Course Code

    MGMT 61111


    Course Level

    Graduate


    Credits

    5.0


    Prerequisites

    None


    Methods of Delivery

    Online


    Expected Length

    7.0 Weeks


    Class Meetings

    To be determined


    Faculty

    To be determined


    INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

    Computer Software: Any computer software that aids learning.


    TEXT(S)

    Text 1: DAMJ

    Title: Decision Analysis for Management Judgment

    Author(s): Paul Goodwin and George Wright

    Edition: 5th

    ISBN: 9781118889251


    Text 2: SP

    Title: Strategy in Practice: A Practitioner's Guide to Strategic Thinking

    Author(s): George Tovstiga

    Edition: 3rd

    ISBN: 9781119121671

  • SYNOPSIS

    This course offers a comprehensive understanding of decision analysis methods, with a focus on the psychological problems related to managerial decision-making and the strategies needed to overcome them. The latest edition of the course has been updated to reflect the most recent developments in the field, making it a valuable resource for those in today's business and economic climate.


    In the aftermath of the global economic crisis, exploring new ways of thinking about strategy is important. This course provides the latest theoretical concepts in strategic management, allowing strategy practitioners to take a systematic approach to strategic thinking. By establishing the relevance of strategy theory to its application in the practice field, this course helps practitioners develop a deep understanding of the strategic landscape on a meaningful level.


    The strategic thinking process is complex, but this course guides students through it step-by-step in a logical, easy-to-comprehend format that all students will be able to engage with. Starting with formulating compelling and clear strategic questions, students are then provided with strategic analysis tools and informed intuition to help them understand the strategic landscape with a holistic perspective. Overall, this course is invaluable for anyone looking to strengthen their strategic thinking skills in a pragmatic, focused manner.


    LEARNING OUTCOMES

    Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:


    • TBD.

  • WEEK 1

    Module 1

    Strategic Thinking

    Reference(s): SP Ch1-2


    Module 2

    Insight-Driven Strategic Analysis

    Reference(s): SP Ch3-4


    WEEK 2

    Module 3

    High-Level, “Big-Picture”, and Supporting-Level Strategic Analysis

    Reference(s): SP Ch5-6


    Module 4

    Strategy Formation, Evaluation of Strategic Options, Execution, and Performance Appraisal

    Reference(s): SP Ch7-9


    WEEK 3

    Module 5

    Decisions involving Multiple Objectives

    Reference(s): DAMJ Ch1-4


    Module 6

    Introduction to Probability and Heuristics and Biases in Probability Assessment

    Reference(s): DAMJ Ch5, Ch10 , and Ch11


    WEEK 4

    Module 7

    Decision Making under Uncertainty and Risk and Uncertainty Management

    Reference(s): DAMJ Ch6 and Ch12


    Module 8

    Decision trees and influence diagrams

    Reference(s): DAMJ Ch7


    WEEK 5

    Module 9

    Applying Simulation to Decision Problem

    Reference(s): DAMJ Ch8


    Module 10

    Revising Judgments in the Light of New Information

    Reference(s): DAMJ Ch9


    WEEK 6

    Module 11

    Decisions Involving Groups of Individuals

    Reference(s): DAMJ Ch13


    Module 12

    Resource Allocation and Negotiation Problems

    Reference(s): DAMJ Ch14


    WEEK 7

    Module 13

    Decision Framing, Cognitive Inertia, Scenario Planning, and Decision Analysis

    Reference(s): DAMJ Ch15-17


    Module 14

    Alternative Decision-support Systems

    Reference(s): DAMJ Ch18

  • PROFESSIONALISM

    WEIGHT: 10.0%
    DEADLINE: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 7

    All students are expected to participate in all types of classroom activities. Regular attendance is required in order to maximize the number of opportunities to engage in classroom activities. Marks are based on the quality of the contributions made rather than the quantity of posts submitted, comments made in class, etc.

    Students are encouraged to exchange contact information and support one another should any classes be missed. They are advised to contact the course instructor about any concerns they may have.


    END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ

    WEIGHT: 10.0%
    DEADLINE: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 1-5

    General Information

    Each week from Week 1 to Week 5, students must complete one graded quiz with ten (10) multiple-choice questions. These assessments aim to determine the level of comprehension and mastery of the material covered each week from Week 1 to Week 5. The deadline to submit this assessment is always on Sunday at 23:59 (GMT+0) each week from Week 1 to Week 5. Quiz assignments are graded by computer, and the grade is stored in the online grade book. Only one 20-minute attempt per quiz is allowed.


    END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ 1

    • Weight: 2.0%

    • Deadline: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 1


    END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ 2

    • Weight: 2.0%

    • Deadline: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 2


    END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ 3

    • Weight: 2.0%

    • Deadline: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 3


    END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ 4

    • Weight: 2.0%

    • Deadline: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 4


    END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ 5

    • Weight: 2.0%

    • Deadline: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 5


    END-OF-COURSE QUIZ

    WEIGHT: 20.0%
    DEADLINE: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 7

    General Information

    In Week 7, students must complete one graded quiz consisting of thirty (30) multiple-choice questions. This assessment aims to determine the level of comprehension and mastery of the material covered over seven weeks. The deadline to submit this assessment is always on Sunday at 23:59 (GMT+0) of Week 7. Quiz assignments are graded by computer, and the grade is stored in the online grade book. Only one 60-minute attempt per quiz is allowed.


    RESEARCH PAPER

    WEIGHT: 60.0%
    DEADLINE: Sunday at 23:59 (GMT+0) of Week 7

    General Information

    This must be twelve pages (approximately three thousand words) not including references, title page, and appendix. The purpose of this assessment is to determine the level of comprehension and mastery of the material covered over five weeks, focusing on the practical aspects of the course. The deadline to submit this assessment is always on Sunday at 23:59 (GMT+0) of Week 7. The grade is stored in the online grade book. As only one attempt per piece of coursework is allowed, it is highly recommended that students review all course materials and complete some test preparation tasks before attempting the graded assessment.

  • PARTICIPATION POLICY

    All students are required to participate in all classroom activities, attend classes regularly, and prepare before classes for classroom activities that require advance preparation. Students need to fully appreciate that good attendance results in more opportunities to engage in quality participation, which, in turn, results in a more thorough acquisition of subject knowledge and higher participation grades.

    Participation in classroom discussions and other types of activities indicates that students have read the assigned readings. Grades will not be based on the number of posts submitted or comments made in the classroom but on the overall quality of contributions to discussions.

    If a student is unable to attend 3 or more classes, he/she may be asked to complete additional assignments to complete the course.

    Modes of Attendance
    • For the portions of the course that take place over Microsoft Teams: Students are required to arrive on time and engage appropriately with their fellow students, their teacher(s) and course materials. They must attend with a functional web camera and microphone, have the latest version of Microsoft Teams installed on their computers, avoid attending via a mobile phone or web browser, and have all necessary materials to hand. Also, their cameras must be always switched on, except for occasions when privacy becomes a necessity. In addition, they must be appropriately attired, attend in an environment that will not distract them, their fellow students or their teacher(s), especially avoiding attending while in a vehicle, whether moving or stationary. 

    • For the on-campus portions of the course: The mandatory on-campus session meets as per the AUS Campus Schedule. Good attendance is required to earn credits and pass the course. Students are not permitted to arrive late for class or leave class early. Students traveling from far away locations must plan accordingly, giving themselves plenty of time to arrive by the start of class.  

    Classroom Expectations

    Classes start and end on time, with late entry or reentry allowed only under exceptional circumstances. All phones and electronic devices must be turned off for the duration of a class.


    GRADING

    Students are expected to read assigned materials prior to class. Class discussions are based on their reading of these materials and their reflections on what they have learned and how these relate to their experiences. Assignments are intended to encourage students’ reflection on and synthesis of assigned topics and course discussions.

    Assessments are listed in the course syllabus and are due by the stipulated deadlines. No assessment will be accepted after the day following the day it is due. If an assessment submission is one day late, it will receive an automatic reduction in grade of one letter (for example from an A to a B). After that, no late work will be accepted, and the student will receive an F grade for the assessment.

    Late submission of papers must be approved in advance.


    ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY

    Students are responsible for understanding the University Policies and how to use resources appropriately. Violations of academic integrity are taken very seriously. Students should revisit the materials on the Orientation session to review important information pertaining to academic citation and referencing rules.


    STUDENT WELFARE AND PRIVACY POLICY

    The university is committed to student welfare and accommodates students with disabilities and those who fall ill. Disability Services (DS) is responsible for accommodating students with disabilities. A student who wishes to be granted a special arrangement due to a disability or illness must request it through DS. Instructors cannot grant such requests without prior DS approval. DS should be contacted as soon as possible to avoid delays in the provision of such an arrangement.

    Because the university takes student privacy very seriously, any medical documentation to support a request for an arrangement to accommodate any special needs connected with a disability or illness should be provided directly to DS. If a student misses any classes due to a short-term illness, he/she should notify his/her instructor, but avoid the inclusion of a doctor's note. Academic staff will not request, accept, or review doctor's notes or other forms of medical documentation. For more information, email DS@TheAUS.us.


    USE OF COURSE MATERIALS AND LECTURES

    Ethical considerations restrict how course materials and lectures may be used. Students may not post, publish, sell, or otherwise publicly distribute course materials without the written permission of the course instructor. Such materials include, but are not limited to, lecture notes, lecture slides, video and audio recordings, various types of assignments, examinations, other students’ work, and answer keys. In addition, students are not permitted to use materials prepared by faculty or students for courses that have previously taken place. These materials include, but are not limited to, case write-ups, Research Papers, summaries of readings, answers to Problem Sets, and answers to Academic Discussion topics. Furthermore, making video or audio recordings of class sessions for one’s own use without written permission from the instructor is not permitted. Infringements of the above-listed rules are taken seriously and may lead to disciplinary action, including a requirement to withdraw.


    WEEKLY CLASS MEETINGS AND SYLLABUS

    Additional information can be found on the course website.

    Please note: the syllabus may be modified prior to and during a course, including updates to assignments and additional material.

OFFICE OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

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